Seven cats compete in show at Sheridan County Fair

Six youth showed seven cats in a bid for ribbons and “fun category” honors in this year’s cat show at the Sheridan County Fair Wednesday.

Cat Superintendent Bailey Forsness said eight cats were originally scheduled to compete, but a kitten belonging to one of the young participants broke its leg two days ago and was withdrawn from the show for the kitten’s benefit.

Numbers were up from last year, when only one cat was shown, but Forsness said there have been as many as 18 cats shown in a year.

She said part of the reason for this year’s lower numbers has been the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to showmanship and conformation classes, the cat show features a number of “fun” categories in which the animals and their owners compete for prizes.

Those include oldest cat, longest and shortest tails, longest whiskers, best-groomed and most colorful cats, lightest and heaviest cat, best trick and best costume or cat-decorated cage.

Fair activities continue Thursday with the swine show starting at 11 a.m.